Quite a few people have reported that Series 2 TiVo DVRs with DIRECTV are losing local channels. We don’t know what changes at DIRECTV have caused this issue, but it seems that only units running outdated software are impacted.
So long as your unit is running the latest version of the TiVo software (6.4a), you should be fine. If your unit is running an earlier version, then it is not going to update itself, even if it is plugged into a phone line. Some DIRECTV reps seem to be telling customers that that units will update themselves, but this has not happened in years and we have not heard any reports of DIRECTV turning on automatic software updates for standard def TiVos.
If your DIRECTV TiVo has recently lost its local channels, you might consider a hard drive upgrade kit. Our drives for the Series2 DIRECTV TiVo DVRs come pre-loaded 6.4a. Alternatively, if you know that your TiVo drive is fully functional, we can load the latest version onto your drive (but we unfortunately cannot save your programming or settings). See here.
Here is a list of impacted units:
DIRECTV R10
DIRECTV HR10-250
Hughes HDVR2
Hughes SDDVR40 / 80 / 120
Philips DSR7000
Philips DSR704
Philips DSR708
RCA DVR39 / 40 / 80 / 120
Samsung SIR-4040R
Samsung SIR-4080R
Samsung SIR-4120R
7 replies on “Series2 DIRECTV TiVo DVRs Losing Local Channels”
[…] (typeof(addthis_share) == "undefined"){ addthis_share = [];}We previously posted about a problem with DIRECTV TiVo units losing local channels. Unfortunately, this problem is still […]
I have a Philips dsr6000 series 1 DTv – TIVO just got the local channel issue also. When/what was the last software upgrade for this unit? I have ver. 2.5, hasn’t connected in 1700 plus days.
I don’t remember when, but it’s probably been more than two years.
I’ve had several OTA TiVo’s over the years and I love them. My roommate decided he wanted DirectTV (he pays) and passed on his SD DVR which I started using when one of my TiVo’s died. If I buy a DirectTV-Tivo (A) can I transfer recording over my LAN like I can now? (B) If he moves out, will that TiVo do everything that I presently do with my Premire or Series 3 once the dish is no longer active?
@Bruce: A) Unfortunately, no. B) No. DIRECTV SD TiVo units cannot record or do anything without a subscription (other than play back previously recorded shows).
I have a Phillips Series 2 DSR7000/17 with software version 6.4a-01-2-101.
The unit reboots and the local channels are no longer on my favorite channels list, I have to go back into settings to mark them.
Purchased Directv Tivo R10 purchased new card from Directv after setup no local channels. Other channels worked fine. Box did update & added the 6.4A software, I did a reboot & now have all local channels except for 4 major networks. ABC,CBS,FOX,NBC I have rebooted, refreshed many times left turned off up to an hour no change. Other Directv boxes receive these channels. I put the 2 wires that go into R10 from Sat. into another box & received all local channels fine. Box Setup shows the 6.4A-01-2-521 software was successful with phone dial in. Box originally showed 6.1-01-2-521. Now setup shows the 6.4A-01-2-521 as current software. There are 2 additional channels that do not work & they are not on my other Direct boxes either AT6 AT13 one channel says something about Alabama news. I live in the 30083 Zipcode city of Stone Mountain GA. Dekalb County east of Atlanta Ga.One person said that my new access card was coded wrong & reason for the 2 Alabama stations & my locals not working.